Joint Statement from 
Irish American Organizations
Against the Deportation of Irish Immigrants

We ask that our government representatives act immediately to suspend deportation proceedings against Irish immigrants.

During the Clinton Administration, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (now an agency of the Department of Homeland Security) suspended deportation for a small number of individuals who had served time in prison for political offenses in the north of Ireland.

However, several cases continue to be prosecuted by the U.S. Government, and Irish nationals have either been deported or are in imminent danger of being deported. In all cases, these "deportees" are married to American citizens, have children who are U.S. citizens, or their Irish children & wives were already granted asylum. All have led exemplary lives in the United States.

The deportation of any of these individuals also means the forced deportation of their American families. The Good Friday Agreement, brokered by the U.S. Government, allowed for the release of all political prisoners in Ireland, and recognized their political status.

Yet here in the United States, former prisoners are still treated as criminals under the law. Our immigration legislation must be amended to cure this anomaly and must be done so immediately before any of these American families suffer more harm at the hands of Loyalist killers. We believe that our Government should concentrate its efforts in protecting us from terrorists who are a danger to our country and constitute a clear and present danger. People like Ciaran Ferry and John McNicholl are no threat.

The following cases are of particular concern:

JOHN MCNICHOLL - from Derry, Ireland was deported back to Ireland in July 2003 after living here with his wife and American family for 20 years. John McNicholl moved to the United States with his wife Francis in 1984. He has two sons, Sean and Conall and a daughter, Aine, all born in the U.S. He has worked, paid taxes, and is a homeowner in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania and is a communicant of St. Lawrence's parish. For further information visit: http://www.iauc.org/deportees.htm

We ask that John and his family be allowed to return to America to their home, family and friends.

CIARAN FERRY - is currently being held in Jefferson County Jail in Colorado. He previously spent 9 months in solitary confinement in a Denver jail for overstaying his visa, even though all of his paperwork was filed and he was living in New Jersey with his American family for years on a work visa. For further information visit: http://www.freeciaranferry.com.

We ask that Mr. Ferry be released immediately on bond from jail and is granted asylum to live in the United States.

MALACHY MCALLISTER - whose family fled Belfast in 1988 after an attempt on their lives by loyalist paramilitaries. His Irish wife Bernie and their children Gary, Nicole and Sean were all granted political asylum because of the "severe persecution" they had suffered in the north of Ireland. Malachy was not because of his political prisoner status, and the family may be returned to face the same dangers from which they fled.

We ask that Malachy McAllister be granted asylum to stay in the United States with his wife and children.

PAUL HARKIN - was arrested in 1975 and convicted by the British Diplock Courts, without benefit of a jury or representation. He spent the next 6 years in Long Kesh P.O.W. Camp. He was released in 1981. Paul came to America in 1987 to visit his brother. He is married to Cathy Geraghty, an American citizen and they have 3 children, Ciaran, Declan, and Brennan, all born in Chicago.

We ask that Paul Harkin be granted asylum to stay in the United States with his wife and children.

The Campaign 2000 Republican Party Platform Statement on Northern Ireland states,

"We congratulate the people of Northern Ireland for their approval of the Good Friday Agreement, and we call for the full and fastest possible implementation of its terms. In the spirit of that healing document, we call for a review of issues of deportation and extradition arising prior to the accord."

We call on this Administration to suspend deportation proceedings against these Irish immigrants and by doing so - show support for the Good Friday Agreement and those that have sacrificed so much to achieve the peace process. 

Signed,

Andrew L. Somers
National President
Irish American Unity Conference

Frank Durkan, Esquire
Chairperson
Americans for a New Irish Agenda

Cody McCone, Esquire
Brehon Law Society

Father Sean McManus
National President
Irish National Caucus

Stella O'Leary
National President
Irish American Democrats

Joseph Jamison
President
Irish-American Labor Coalition

Ned McGinley
National President
Ancient Order of Hibernians

Deanna Turner
National Coordinator
Irish Deportees of America Committee

Tom Madigan
Journalist At Large &
Associate Editor/Producer
Wild Geese Today

Edmund Lynch 
National Coordinator
Lawyers Alliance for Justice

Nadya Connolly Williams
National Coordinator
Global Exchange

Gerry Coleman
Political Education Director
Irish Northern Aid

For more information contact:

Irish American Unity Conference
#1-800-947-4282 
Email:  iauc@iauc.org